Copperas Cove city council to look at city street maintenance plan

By BRITTANY FHOLER 

Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove City Council will take action on pursuing a pavement condition assessment and developing a five-year street maintenance management plan during their regular meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. this evening. 

The council will decide whether to approve authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Lockwood, Andrews & Neman, Inc. (LAN) to complete the Pavement Condition Assessment and Management Plan for the city, at a cost of $148,551. 

The council will also take action on a resolution approving a General Legislative Policy for the city and provide direction on legislative consultant services. 

The state’s 87th Legislative Session began on January 12 and is planned to end in May 2021. A number of bills have been filed by state representatives and senators already.  

The policy would provide guidelines for city staff when providing testimony and written position statements dealing with the legislative session. 

It also authorizes the mayor and city manager to sign letters of support or opposition on topics addressed and authorized through the policy. According to the agenda item, most bills requiring testimony or written statements do not allow enough time for the city council to meet and vote to authorize staff testimony and/or provide written position statements.

The major issues expected to be addressed during the 87th Legislative Session are the state budget, redistricting, criminal justice and law enforcement reform, COVID-19 and disaster authority, gaming, marijuana, municipal revenue restrictions through property tax reform, local legislative influence restrictions and revisions to the relief payment for disproportionately impacted cities.

The city council will hold the first public hearing on an budget amendment for the current fiscal year. The General Fund requires an overall expenditure increase of $148,551, for the completion of a system-wide pavement condition assessment and management plan, should it be approved by the council. 

The council will also take action on the appointment of a mayor pro tem to serve for a period of one year. Currently, Councilmember Dan Yancey serves as mayor pro tem when Mayor Bradi Diaz is not available. 

The council will hear from the Noon Exchange Club on activities and expenses for November’s annual Feast of Sharing. The council will also hear from the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce about Krist Kindl Markt event and consider and take action to authorize a payment for eligible expenses. 

The council will discuss and take possible action on appointing qualified individuals from the business community to serve on the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee, which was established in October 2020. 

There are three vacancies to be filled to complete the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee. To date, city staff received one application from Jimmy Clark, business owner of JWC Inc./DBA J. Clark Homes.

The city will also recognize two employees, Matt Rodgers, Firefighter II/Paramedic and Capt. Brandi Brice-Wolfe, with the Copperas Cove Fire Department for their years of service. Also, Sewer Superintendent Dennis Courtney will be recognized for his retirement after 34 years of service. 

City Manager Ryan Haverlah will also be leading a presentation and discussion on the regional transit study during the workshop meeting at 5 p.m. The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Limited in-person attendance is permitted in the Council Chambers, 508 S. 2nd St. The meeting video will also be broadcast live on the Spectrum Channel 10, as well as on the City’s YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHkZ_Fwq-Y0iRkNU1-fM8w. 

The public may also participate by calling (888) 475-4499, using meeting ID 9866029818, and passcode 2545474221. The public may offer public comments as permitted by the presiding officer during the meetings. Written questions or comments may be submitted up to two hours before the meetings via email to Lisa Wilson, City Secretary, at lwilson@copperascovetx.gov.